A bacterial infection that cannot be treated with one sort of penicillin can be treated with a different sort. Use your knowledge of enzyme action to explain why the different sort of penicillin is effective in treating the infection.

Penicillin inhibits an enzyme that forms cross links in bacterial cell walls halting bacterial reproduction. Different penicillins have different shapes or structures. The penicillin that is not effective in treating the infection no longer fits or binds to the active site of the enzyme that form the cross links in the cell wall. Therefore, an enzyme-substrate complex is not formed and the pencillin does not inhibit bacterial cell wall production and growth. 
(whereas, the pencillin that is effective in treating the infection can bind to the active site of the enzyme, form an E-S complex and inhibit bacterial cell wall production and growth. )

Answered by Georgia D. Biology tutor

5422 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What are the key steps in the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis?


Explain why haemoglobin in Sickle Cell Anaemia is less effective at carrying oxygen.


Mutations of a DNA sequence could alter the expression of a gene. Describe and explain the process of gene expression and how a mutation could lead to disease.


Describe the differences between hydrophobic and hydrophilic signalling.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences